Storage medium storing pointing device input adjustment program, input adjustment apparatus and input adjustment method

ABSTRACT

A computer as an input adjustment apparatus includes a memory. This memory stores an input adjustment program. The computer is connected with a touch pad. When a user touches the touch pad with his/her finger, the computer is provided with touch coordinate data on a touched portion and a value according to an area of the touched portion. Based on the coordinate data and the value according to the touch area, the computer calculates a scale factor of a range in which the user can actually perform an operation in such a manner as to conform to a whole operating range of the touch pad. Then, the computer multiplies by the scale factor a difference of coordinates indicated by the coordinate data (current touch coordinates) from a reference position, and input the resulting value as input data into an electronic device.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-200618 isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a storage medium storing pointingdevice input adjustment program, an input adjustment apparatus and aninput adjustment method. More specifically, the present inventionrelates to a storage medium storing pointing device input adjustmentprogram, an input adjustment apparatus and an input adjustment method,which adjust an input signal from a pointing device such as a touch pad.

2. Description of the Related Art

One example of related art is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-openNo. 6-161646 [G06F 3/03, G06F 3/033] (document 1) laid-open on Jun. 10,1994. According to document 1, when the user touches the operatingsurface of the touch panel with his/her finger, the touch panel outputsa signal of coordinates of a touch position. Also, when the user movesthe finger over the touch panel without lifting it off the operatingsurface, the amount of movement of the coordinate signal output from thetouch panel is calculated. This allows the movement of the cursor to becontrolled.

Another example of related art is disclosed in the brochure ofWO1/027868 internationally publicized on Apr. 19, 2001 (document 2).According to document 2, for example, a capacitance-type transparenttouch pad is provided on the display of an LCD or CRT screen in such amanner as to perform an operation while watching the display.

Meanwhile, when its operating surface is touched with his/her finger,the capacitance-type touch pad (touch panel) or the like outputs acoordinate signal corresponding to the touch position and a valuecorresponding to the touch area (e.g. capacitance value); At that time,the size of a portion in which the finger touches the operating surfacemay vary according to a difference in finger thickness or a differencein the finger's touching force (pressure) or the like, which would causean absolute or relative difference in a range covered by the coordinatesof the touch position.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10(A) and FIG. 10(B), assume that a userhaving thin fingers and a user having thick fingers drag (slide) theirfingers over the operating surface of the same touch pad. As illustratedin FIG. 10(A), when the user with thin (small) fingers drags his/herfinger linearly from left and to right end on the touch pad, thehorizontal touch coordinate of the finger (X coordinate) changes from aposition shown by P1 to a position shown by P2. At that time, the lengthof dragging is indicated by a distance L1. On the other hand, when theuser with thick (large) fingers drags his/her finger linearly from leftend to right end on the operating surface, the X touch coordinate movesfrom a position shown by P3 to a position shown by P4. Here, the lengthof dragging is indicated by a distance L2.

Besides, a frame is provided on an outer periphery of the touch pad, andthe user stops dragging near the outer circumference of the operatingsurface because the movement of the finger is restricted by the frame orhe/she feels the frame by the finger.

As can be well understood from FIG. 10(A) and FIG. 10(B), a distancecapable of being dragged varies depending on finger thickness, etc.(L1>L2). This is because there is a difference in size of a portiontouched by the finger on the operating surface between the user withthin fingers and the user with thick fingers, as shown in FIG. 11(A) asa cross-sectional view of FIG. 10(A) taken at a line XIA-XIA and FIG.11(B) as a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10(B) taken at a line XIB-XIB.Moreover, the size of the touch area may vary depending on not onlyfinger thickness (size) but also an operating manner (pressure, etc.).Thus, the size of the touched portion (operable range) may be differentamong individual users (relative difference) and also may be differentin the one and same user (absolute difference). In addition, FIG. 11(A)and FIG. 11(B) provide the size of the touched portion shown by thehorizontal length of the touched portion as seen from the side (alongthe horizontal direction) for the sake of simplicity.

As apparent from FIG. 11(A) and FIG. 11(B), it is possible to drag(touch) the finger to a position closer to the end (edge) of the touchpad as the area of a portion touched by the finger becomes smaller.Conversely, it is hard to touch a place near the end of the touch pad asthe area of a portion touched by the finger becomes larger. Therefore,in the case where the whole operating range of the touch pad is the oneas shown in FIG. 12(A), the user can operate the shaded range in FIG.12(B) (operable range I) if the touched portion is smaller in size, andthe user can operate the shaded range in FIG. 12(C) (operable range II)if the touched portion is larger in size, for example. That is, thiscauses a problem in which the operable range varies depending on user'sindividuality or varies according to each occasion of operationperformed even by the same user.

In consequence, using the touch pad in place of the joystick controllerof a game machine, for example, would produce variations in controllingthe player character's moving range and moving speed due to differencesin touch operation-capable range.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide anovel storage medium storing pointing device input adjustment program,input adjustment apparatus, and input adjustment method.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a storagemedium storing a pointing device input adjustment program, an inputadjustment apparatus, and an input adjustment method, which allow stableinput operations regardless of a user's individuality and operatingmanner.

For resolution of the above mentioned problems, the present inventionemploys such a structure described below. The reference numerals andsupplementary explanations, etc. in parentheses here indicate merely oneexample of correspondence with the embodiments described later for aidof understanding of the present invention, and imposes no limitations onthe present invention.

A storage medium storing an input adjustment program for a pointingdevice according to the present invention stores an input adjustmentprogram for a flat-type pointing device that has an operating surfaceand inputs touch coordinates on the operating surface and a valueaccording to a touch area at a moment when a touch operation isperformed. This input adjustment program allows a computer to execute acorrection value calculation step, a first range calculation step, ascale factor calculation step, and a distance correction step. In thecorrection value calculation step, on an assumption the value accordingto the touch area input from the flat-type pointing device indicates anarea of a perfect circle, a correction value is calculated according toa radius of the perfect circle where the touch area is assumed to be theperfect circle area. In the first range calculation step, a first rangecapable of being covered by the touch coordinates at a time of an actualoperation is calculated using the correction value calculated in thecorrection value calculation step. In the scale factor calculation step,a scale factor for conforming the first range calculated in the firstrange calculation step to a second range of the whole operating surfaceis calculated. In the distance correction step, a distance from areference point to current touch coordinates is corrected by the scalefactor calculated in the scale factor calculation step.

More specifically, the input adjustment program for a flat-type pointingdevice is executed by the computer (12). The flat-type pointing device(14) has an operating surface and, when the user touches the operatingsurface, inputs touch coordinates of a touch position and a valueaccording to a touch area of a touched portion on the operating surface.That is, the device (14) provides them to the computer (12). Here, thevalue according to the touch area means a numerical value that increasesor decreases with an increase or decrease in the touch area. Forexample, in the case of an electrostatic touch pad, the value indicatesan electrostatic capacity increasing or decreasing according to thetouch are. The input adjustment program allows the computer (12) toexecute a correction value calculation step (S7), a first rangecalculation step (S23), a scale factor calculation step (S25), and adistance correction step (S27). In the correction value calculation step(S7), on an assumption that the value according to the touch area inputfrom the flat-type pointing device (14) indicates the area of a perfectcircle, a correction value is calculated according to the radius of theperfect circle where the touch area is assumed to be the area of theperfect circle. Here, the correction value according to the radius meansa numerical value varying with length of radius of the circle, andequates to a value of radius of the circle or a value of square root ofarea of the circle, for example. In the first range calculation step(S23), the first range except a portion that cannot be operated by theuser's finger is calculated using the correction value calculated in thecorrection value calculation step. In the scale factor calculation step(S25), a scale factor for conforming the first range calculated in thefirst range calculation step (S23) to the second range of the wholeoperating surface is calculated. In the distance correction step (S27),the distance from the reference point to the current touch coordinates(movement amount) is corrected by the scale factor calculated in thescale factor calculation step (S25).

According to the present invention, the distance from the referencepoint to the current touch coordinates is corrected by the scale factorfor the actual operable range to the whole operating range of the touchpad, which makes it possible to perform stable input operationsregardless of user's individuality and touching manner.

In an aspect of the present invention, the reference point indicatestouch coordinates at a moment when the operating surface is touched, andthe computer is further allowed to execute a reference point correctionstep of correcting at least one of a deviation in a horizontal directionand a deviation in a vertical direction of the reference point from acentral point of the operating surface. More specifically, the referencepoint indicates the touch coordinates at a moment when the user touchesthe operating surface. In the reference point correction step (S11, S13,S15, S17, S19 and S21), at least one of a deviation in the horizontaldirection (X axis direction) and a deviation in the vertical direction(Y axis direction) of the reference point from the central point(original point) of the operating surface is corrected. This makes itpossible to accommodate the deviation of the reference point and realizestable input operations.

Another storage medium storing an input adjustment program for apointing device according to the present invention stores an inputadjustment program for a flat-type pointing device that has an operatingsurface and inputs touch coordinates and a value according to a toucharea at a moment when the operating surface is touched. This inputadjustment program allows a computer to execute a correction valuecalculation step, a first range calculation step, a scale factorcalculation step, and a coordinate correction step. In the correctionvalue calculation step, on an assumption that a touch area input fromthe flat-type pointing device indicates an area of a perfect circle, acorrection value is calculated according to a radius of the perfectcircle using the value according to the touch area. In the first rangecalculation step, a first range in which the whole operating surface isreduced toward the center by a distance according to the correctionvalue calculated in the correction value calculation step is calculated.In the scale factor calculation step, an enlargement ratio forconforming the first range calculated in the first range calculationstep to the whole operating surface is calculated. In the coordinatecorrection step, by enlarging and correcting the touch coordinates inthe first range at the enlargement ratio calculated in the scale factorcalculation step, the touch coordinates in the first range is convertedinto touch coordinates in the whole operating surface.

More specifically, the input adjustment program for a flat-type pointingdevice is executed by the computer (12). The flat-type pointing device(14) has an operating surface and, when the user touches the operatingsurface, provides the computer (12) with touch coordinates of a touchposition and a value according to a touch area of a touched portion onthe operating surface. The input adjustment program allows the computer(12) to execute a correction value calculation step (S7), a first rangecalculation step (S23), a scale factor calculation step (S25), and acoordinate correction step (S28). In the correction value calculationstep (S7), on an assumption that a touch area input from the flat-typepointing device is equal to the area of a perfect circle, a correctionvalue is calculated according to the radius of the perfect circle usingthe value according to the touch area input from the flat-type pointingdevice (14). In the first range calculation step (S23), the first rangein which the whole operating surface is reduced toward the center by adistance according to the correction value calculated in the correctionvalue calculation step (S7) is calculated. In the scale factorcalculation step (S25), a scale factor for conforming the first rangecalculated in the first range calculation step (S23) to the second rangeas the whole operating surface is calculated. In the coordinatecorrection step (S28), the touch coordinates in the first range isconverted into touch coordinates in the second range (the wholeoperating surface) at the scale factor calculated in the scale factorcalculation step (S25).

According to the present invention, the current touch coordinates arecorrected by a scale factor for conforming the actual operable range tothe whole operating range of the touch pad, it is possible to performstable input operations regardless of user's individuality and touchingmanner.

An input adjustment apparatus according to the present invention is aninput adjustment apparatus for a flat-type pointing device that has anoperating surface and inputs touch coordinates and a value according toa touch area at a moment when the operating surface is touched. Thisinput adjustment apparatus comprises a correction value calculationmeans, a first range calculation means, a scale factor calculationmeans, and a distance correction means. Assuming that the valueaccording to the touch area input from the flat-type pointing deviceindicates an area of a perfect circle, the correction value calculationmeans calculates a correction value according to a radius of the perfectcircle where the touch area is assumed to be the perfect circle area.The first range calculation means calculates a first range capable ofbeing covered by the touch coordinates at a time of an actual operationusing the correction value calculated by the correction valuecalculation means. The scale factor calculation means calculates a scalefactor for conforming the first range calculated by the first rangecalculation means to a second range of the whole operating surface. Thedistance correction means corrects a distance from a reference point tocurrent touch coordinates by the scale factor calculated by the scalefactor calculation means.

As with the present invention of above described storage medium, thisinvention also allows stable input operations regardless of user'sindividuality and touch manner.

Another input adjustment apparatus according to the present invention isan input adjustment apparatus for a flat-type pointing device that hasan operating surface and inputs touch coordinates and a value accordingto a touch area at a moment when the operating surface is touched. Thisinput adjustment apparatus comprises a correction value calculationmeans, a first range calculation means, a scale factor calculationmeans, and a coordinate calculation means. Assuming that a touch areainput from the flat-type pointing device indicates an area of a perfectcircle, the correction value calculation means calculates a correctionvalue according to a radius of the perfect circle using the valueaccording to the touch area. The first range calculation meanscalculates a first range in which the whole operating surface is reducedtoward the center by a distance according to the correction valuecalculated by the correction value calculation means. The scale factorcalculation means calculates an enlargement ratio for conforming thefirst range calculated by the first range calculation means to a secondrange as the whole operating surface. The coordinate correction means,by enlarging and correcting the touch coordinates in the first range atthe enlargement ratio calculated by the scale factor calculation means,converts the touch coordinates in the first range into touch coordinatesin the second range.

As with the present invention of above described storage medium, thisinvention also allows stable input operations regardless of user'sindividuality and touching manner.

An input adjustment method according to the present invention is aninput adjustment method for a flat-type pointing device that has anoperating surface and inputs touch coordinates and a value according toa touch area at a moment when the operating surface is touched,including the following steps of: (a) on an assumption that the valueaccording to the touch area input from the flat-type pointing deviceindicates an area of a perfect circle, calculating a correction valueaccording to a radius of the perfect circle at a moment when the toucharea is assumed to be the perfect circle area; (b) calculating a firstrange capable of being covered by the touch coordinates using thecorrection value calculated in the step (a); (c) calculating a scalefactor for conforming the first range calculated in the step (b) to asecond range as the whole operating surface; and (d) correcting adistance from a reference point to current touch coordinates by thescale factor calculated in the step (c).

As with the above described present invention, this invention alsoallows stable input operations.

Another input adjustment method according to the present invention is aninput adjustment method for a flat-type pointing device that has anoperating surface and inputs touch coordinates and a value according toa touch area at a moment when the operating surface is touched,including following steps of: (a) on an assumption that a touch areainput from the flat-type pointing device indicates an area of a perfectcircle, calculating a correction value according to a radius of theperfect circle using the value according to the touch area; (b)calculating a first range in which the whole operating surface isreduced toward the center by a distance according to the correctionvalue calculated in the step (a); (c) calculating an enlargement ratiofor conforming the first range calculated in the step (b) to a secondrange as the whole operating surface; and (d) by enlarging andcorrecting the touch coordinates in the first range at the enlargementratio calculated in the step (c), converting the touch coordinates inthe first range into touch coordinates in the second range.

As with the above described present invention, this invention alsoallows stable input operations.

The above described objects and other objects, features, aspects andadvantages of the present invention will become more apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the present invention when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing one example of structure of aninput device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing a whole operating range and anactual operable range of a surface of a touch pad shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view describing a maximum value in ahorizontal direction in an operating field of the touch pad shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view describing a maximum value in a verticaldirection in the operating field of the touch pad shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view describing an actual maximum value in theoperating field of the touch pad shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a part of data input process of a computershown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another part of data input process of thecomputer shown in FIG. 1 and continuing from FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of data input process ofthe computer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing still another example of data inputprocess of the computer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a top view of a touch pad as seen by users different infinger thickness when dragging their fingers linearly from left to righton the pad surface;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is an illustrative view showing the whole operating range andactual operable ranges for users different in finger thickness.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, an input device 10 of one embodiment of the presentinvention includes a computer 12. The computer 12 is connected with atouch pad 14. The computer 12 is typically a microcomputer and stores aninput adjustment program for the touch pad 14 in a memory such as a ROMand serves as an input adjustment apparatus. The computer 12 isconnected with an electronic device not illustrated. Applicable to theelectronic device are personal computers, workstations, PDAs, gamemachines, and game machine controllers etc., for example. Alternatively,at least one of the computer 12 and the touch pad 14 may be included inthe electronic device.

The touch pad (or touch panel) 14, when a user touches the pad surfaceas an operating surface with a finger, provides the computer 12 withtouch coordinates corresponding to a position at a moment when thefinger touches the pad surface and a value according to a touch area.Included as an example of touch coordinates is data on coordinates(coordinate data) at a barycenter of a portion in which the fingertouches on the operating surface (touched position), for instance. Also,one example of the value according to the touch area is electrostaticcapacity according to the area of the touched portion. These values arecomputed and output by an ASIC of the touch pad 14, etc. As the touchpad 14, for example, a touch pad made by Synaptics(http://www.synaptics.com/technology/cps.cfm) may be utilized. Besides,the above mentioned barycentric coordinate data and electrostaticcapacity are mere examples. It is acceptable that the touch coordinatesare coordinates defined by a touch position and that the value accordingto the touch area (the area of the touched portion) is a value thatincreases or decreases with an increase or decrease of the area of thetouched portion. Therefore, the electrostatic touch pad can be replacedby any kind of touch pad (touch panel) including an optical type.

The computer 12 inputs input data in which the coordinate data and theelectrostatic capacity provided from the touch pad 14 has been subjectedto arithmetic operations (including adjustments), into the electronicdevice. Besides, the computer 12 may input the coordinate data and theelectrostatic capacity directly into the electronic device. For example,a personal computer as the electronic device moves an arbitrary imagesuch as a cursor (mouse pointer) and icon over the screen and scrollsthrough the screen, according to the input data. Moreover, a gamemachine as the electronic device controls the movement of a playercharacter and the speed of the movement, according to the input data.

As shown in FIG. 2(A), in general, the whole surface of the touch pad 14(pad surface) constitutes the operating surface (the whole operatingrange). However, in touching it with a finger, the surface of the touchpad 14 cannot be actually used up to an end (edge) as the operatingrange because the barycentric coordinate data of the portion touchedwith a finger is to be output. If a frame is provided around (on anouter periphery of) the touch pad 14, the user stops dragging near theouter periphery of the operating surface because the frame restricts themovement of the finger or he/she feels the frame by the finger.Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2(B), a range capable of being draggingfrom side to side and up and down (operable range) is reduced by alength corresponding to a certain distance from the barycenter (center)of a portion touched with a finger (here, assuming that the touchedportion has the form of a perfect circle, the length indicates acorrection value r′ according to a radius r of the perfect circle). Inaddition, the touched portion may vary in size relatively or absolutelydepending on a user's individuality and touching manners, which wouldcause variations in actual operable range.

Consequently, in order to eliminate those variations in this embodiment,the actual operable range is corrected so as to conform to the wholeoperating range based on the size of the finger's touched portion. Adetailed description will be provided below.

For example, the computer 12 stores touch coordinates at a moment whenthe user touches the touch pad 14 as a reference point, i.e., areference position. After that, upon an input of touch coordinates by adragging operation, the computer 12 determines a difference of thecurrent touch coordinates from the reference position and inputs theamounts of movement of an X element and Y element into the electronicdevice (not shown). The reference position is fixed in this embodimentfor the sake of simplicity, and alternatively, it may come closer to thecenter of the touch pad over time.

Also, the reference position may not match the center of the wholeoperating range of the touch pad 14, and thus a range (maximum value) inthe horizontal direction (X axis direction) and a maximum value in thevertical direction (Y axis direction) which can be covered by thecurrent touch coordinates are determined on the basis of a relationshipbetween the touch coordinates and the reference position. In thisembodiment, the maximum value in the X axis direction is expressed by avariable dist_x, and the maximum value in the Y axis direction isexpressed by a variable dist_y. Both the variable dist_x and thevariable dist_y must have absolute values. Moreover, in this embodiment,the touch pad 14 is divided into a first quadrant, a second quadrant, athird quadrant, and a fourth quadrant, taking its center as an originpoint. The variables dist_x and dist_y are thus defined as appropriatein accordance with their relationships with the reference position.Furthermore, in FIG. 3 (also FIG. 4), circles of dotted lines showfinger touch shapes (touched portions) on the touch coordinates at atime of touch, and circles of solid lines indicate finger touch shapes(touched portions) at current touch positions.

Firstly, as shown in FIG. 3(A), a current touch position B (x2, y2) ison the right of a reference position A (x1, y1), that is, if x2≧x1, themaximum value in the X axis direction, i.e., the variable dist_x isexpressed by equation 1:dist_(—) x=1−x1   [Equation 1]

Also, as shown in FIG. 3(B), the current touch position B (x2, y2) in onthe left of the reference position A (x1, y1), that is, if x2<x1, themaximum value in the X axis direction, i.e., the variable dist_x isexpressed by equation 2:dist_(—) x=1+x1   [Equation 2]

As indicated in FIG. 4(A), if the current touch position B (x2, y2) isabove the reference position A (x1, y1), that is, if y2≧y1, the maximumvalue in the Y axis direction is expressed by equation 3:dist_(—) y=1−y1   [Equation 3]

In addition, as indicated in FIG. 4(B), if the current touch position B(x2, y2) is under the reference position A (x1, y1), that is, if y2<y1,the maximum value in the Y axis direction is expressed by equation 4:dist_(—) y=1+y1   [Equation 4]

In this manner, the maximum values in the X axis direction and the Yaxis direction are determined in accordance with the relative positionalrelationship between the reference position A and the current touchposition B. Besides, as shown in FIG. 2(B), no operation can bevirtually performed in an outer region of surface of the touch pad 14.Therefore, a length corresponding to this region is excluded(subtracted) from both the maximum value in the X axis direction and themaximum value in the Y axis direction.

More specifically, in order to simplify the equations and reducecalculation loads, based on the assumption that the finger touchedportion has the shape of a perfect circle, the correction value r′according to the radius r of the perfect circle is determined accordingto equation 5, and then the actual maximum values (dist_x′ and dist_y′)in which this correction value r′ is subtracted from the both maximumvalues in the X and Y directions as shown in equation 6.

Additionally, in equation 5, S denotes electrostatic capacity in thearea of the touched portion and corresponds to the electrostaticcapacity provided from the touch pad 14. Moreover, in the equation 5, kindicates a certain variable and is supposed to be decided by aprogrammer or designer of the input adjustment program or the inputadjustment apparatus in this embodiment.r′=k×√{square root over ( )}S   [Equation 5]dist_(—) x′=dist_(—) x−r′dist_(—) y′=dist_(—) y−r′[Equation 6]

Besides, in equation 5, the correction value r′ is determined withoutusing a proper formula for the radius of a circle (r=√{square root over( )}(S/π)) for the purpose of reducing the calculation loads. Therefore,in the case of not taking the calculation loads into account, it is alsopossible to determine the radius r according to the formula and use theradius r in equation 6 instead of using the correction value r′.

Consequently, if the touch pad 14 is currently touched at its upperright portion and the touch position is on the right of the referenceposition and above the same, the actual maximum values (dist_x′ anddist_y′) are indicated as in FIG. 5.

Here, in order the actual maximum values (dist_x′ and dist_y′) toconform to the whole operating range of the touch pad 14 (−1≦x≦1,−1≦y≦1), their scale factors (scale_x, scale_y) are determined accordingto equation 7. That is, the scale factors (enlargement ratios) arecalculated for conformity of the actual operable range to the wholeoperating range.scale_(—) x=1÷dist_(—) x′scale_(—) y=1÷dist_(—) y′  [Equation 7]

Accordingly, the actual data to be input to the electronic device (thedata on amount of movement (distance)) is calculated according toequation 8:X element in the input data=(x2−x1)×scale_(—) xY element in the input data=(y2−y1)×scale_(—) y   [Equation 8]

More specifically, the computer 12 of FIG. 1 executes a data inputprocess in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 6, when starting thedata input process, the computer 12 determines whether a touch input hasbeen carried out or not in a step S1. To be more precise, it isdetermined whether coordinate data and area data have been provided ornot from the touch pad 14. If “NO” in the step S1, that is, if no touchinput has been carried out, the data input process is immediatelyterminated as shown in FIG. 7.

In contrast, if “YES” in the step S1, that is, if a touch input has beencarried out, the barycentric coordinates of the touched portion, i.e.,the current touch coordinates (x2, y2) are obtained in a step S3, andthe electrostatic capacity S of the touched portion is acquired in astep S5. More specifically, the current coordinates (x2, y2) is obtainedon the basis of the coordinate data provided from the touch panel 14 andthe electrostatic capacity S is obtained on the basis of theelectrostatic capacity provided from the touch pad 14.

In a succeeding step S7, assuming that the shape of the touched portionis a perfect circle (completely round), the correction value r′according to the radius r of the perfect circle is calculated on thebasis of equation 5. In a next step S9, coordinates of the referencepoint (x1, y1) are obtained. The coordinates of the reference (x1, y1)are touch-on coordinates that, if “YES” in the first step S1, areobtained as coordinates (x2, y2) in the step S3.

Subsequently, it is determined in a step S11 whether x1≦x2 or not. Thatis, it is determined whether the x coordinate of the reference pointfalls below the x coordinate of the current touch coordinates. If “YES”in the step S11, that is if x1≦x2, a value 1−x1 is assigned to thevariable dist_x in a step S13 and then the process moves to a step S17.On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S11, that is, if x1>x2, the value1+x1 is assigned to the variable dist_x in a step S15, and then theprocess moves to the step S17.

In the step S17, it is determined whether y1≦y2 or not. That is, it isdetermined whether or not the y coordinate of the reference point fallsbelow the y coordinate of the current touch coordinates. If “YES” in thestep S17, that is, if y1≦y2, the value 1−y1 is assigned to the variabledist_y in a step S19, and then the process goes to a step S23 of FIG. 7.On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S17, that is, if y1>y2, a value1+y1 is assigned to the variable dist_y in a step S21, and then theprocess goes to the step S23.

The processes of steps S11 to S21 correct a deviation of the originpoint from the reference point.

As shown in FIG. 7, a value dist_x−r′ is assigned to the variabledist_x′, and a value dist_y−r′ is assigned to the variable dist_y′ inthe step S23. In a succeeding step S25, a value 1÷dist_x′ is assigned tothe variable scale_x, and a value 1÷dist_y′ is assigned to the variablescale_y. That is, the enlargement ratios are calculated. Then, in a stepS27, the input data is worked out. More specifically, the x element ofthe input data is calculated by an equation (x2−x1)×scale_x, and the yelement of the input data is calculated by an equation (y2−y1)×scale_y.Then, the input data is input into the connected electronic device in astep S29, and the data input process is terminated.

The above mentioned data input process is executed at regular timeintervals (e.g. one frame ( 1/60 second)).

According to this embodiment, an actual operable range is determinedfrom the electrostatic capacity of the touched portion and then isadjusted so as to conform to the operable range of the touch pad. Thiseliminates relative and absolute differences in the operable range,making it possible to perform stable input operations.

Also, in this embodiment, since the actual operable range is adjusted soas to conform to the operable range of the touch pad each time a touchinput is detected, it is possible to accommodate variations in theactual operable range of the touch pad by one dragging operation.

Besides, in the above described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG.7, a deviation of the origin point from the reference point is correctedin the data input process. However, even if no deviation is corrected,it is possible to perform relatively stable input operations. In thiscase, such a data input process as shown in FIG. 8 is carried out. Thedata input process shown in FIG. 8 is the same as the data input processin FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 except that the steps S11 to S21 are deleted andthat a step S10 is added between the step S9 and the step S23. In thestep S10, “1” is assigned to both the variables dist_x and the variabledist_y.

In such a case, since the variables dist_x and dist_y have constants, itis also possible to omit the process of step S10 by assigning “1” to theboth variables dist_x and dist_y.

Moreover, in the above mentioned embodiment, the position at which theuser firstly touches is set as a reference point, and a distance betweenthe reference point and the current touch position is corrected.Alternatively, the current touch position (touch coordinates) may becorrected regardless of the reference point. In this case, the originpoint may be fixedly set as a central point of the operating surface oras one of vertexes of he operating surface. Relative touch coordinatesmay be simply detected with respect to the origin point, whicheliminates the need for correcting the origin point.

In such a case, the computer 12 executes a data input process accordingto the flowchart shown in FIG. 9. Since this process is almost the sameas the data input process of FIG. 8, the identical steps of the processwill be given the same reference numerals (step numbers) and a detaileddescription of this process will be omitted here.

More specifically, the data input process of FIG. 9 is formulated insuch a manner that the step S9 is deleted from the data input process ofFIG. 8 and the step S27 in the data input process of FIG. 8 is replacedby a step S28. That is, there is no need to detect the coordinates ofthe reference point. When the enlargement ratios (scale_x, scale_y) arecalculated in a step S25, the current touch coordinates (x2, y2) arecorrected in the step S28. Besides, the touch coordinates after thecorrection (x′, y′) are calculated according to equation 9.x′=x2×scale_(—) xy′=y2×scale_(—) y

As descried above, it is possible to input the corrected touchcoordinates as input data into the electronic device connected to thecomputer 12. In such a case, it is also possible to eliminate relativeand absolute differences in the operable range, which allows stableinput operations.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spiritand scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms ofthe appended claims.

1. A storage medium storing an input adjustment program for a flat-typepointing device that has an operating surface and inputs touchcoordinates and a value according to a touch area at a moment when atouch operation is performed on the operating surface, wherein saidinput adjustment program allows a computer to execute: a correctionvalue calculation step of, on an assumption that the value according tothe touch area input from said flat-type pointing device indicates anarea of a perfect circle, calculating a correction value according to aradius of the perfect circle where the touch area is assumed to be theperfect circle area; a first range calculation step of calculating afirst range capable of being covered by said touch coordinates using thecorrection value calculated in said correction value calculation step; ascale factor calculation step of calculating a scale factor forconforming the first range calculated in said first range calculationstep to a second range of said whole operating surface; and a distancecorrection step for correcting a distance from a reference point tocurrent touch coordinates by the scale factor calculated in said scalefactor calculation step.
 2. A storage medium storing an input adjustmentprogram for appointing device according to claim 1, wherein saidreference point indicates touch coordinates at a moment when theoperating surface is touched, and said computer is further allowed toexecute a reference point correction step of correcting at least one ofa deviation in a horizontal direction and a deviation in a verticaldirection of said reference point from a central point of said operatingsurface.
 3. A storage medium storing an input adjustment program for aflat-type pointing device that has an operating surface and inputs touchcoordinates and a value according to a touch area at a moment when theoperating surface is touched, wherein said input adjustment programallows a computer to execute: a correction value calculation step of, ifa touch area input from said flat-type pointing device is assumed to bean area of a perfect circle, calculating a correction value according toa radius of the perfect circle using the value according to the toucharea; a first range calculation step of calculating a first range inwhich said whole operating surface is reduced toward the center by adistance according to the correction value calculated in said correctionvalue calculation step; a scale factor calculation step of calculatingan enlarging ratio for conforming the first range calculated in saidfirst range calculation step to a second range as said whole operatingsurface; and a coordinate correction step of, by enlarging andcorrecting the touch coordinates in said first range at the enlargementratio calculated in said scale factor calculation step, converting thetouch coordinates in the first range into touch coordinates in saidsecond range.
 4. An input adjustment apparatus for a flat-type pointingdevice that has an operating surface and inputs touch coordinates and avalue according to a touch area at a moment when the operating surfaceis touched, comprising: a correction value calculation means for, on anassumption that the value according to the touch area input from saidflat-type pointing device indicates an area of a perfect circle,calculating a correction value according to a radius of the perfectcircle where the touch area is assumed to be the perfect circle area; afirst range calculation means for calculating a first range capable ofbeing covered by said touch coordinates using the correction valuecalculated by said correction value calculation means; a scale factorcalculation means for calculating a scale factor for conforming thefirst range calculated by said first range calculation means to a secondrange as said whole operating surface; and a distance correction meansfor correcting a distance from a reference point to current touchcoordinates by the scale factor calculated by said scale factorcalculation means.
 5. An input adjustment apparatus for a flat-typepointing device according to claim 4, wherein said reference point is ontouch coordinates at a moment when the operating surface is touched, andfurther comprising: a reference point correction means for correcting atleast one of a deviation in a horizontal direction and a deviation in avertical direction of said reference point from a central point of saidoperating surface.
 6. An input adjustment apparatus for a flat-typepointing device that has an operating surface and inputs touchcoordinates and a value according to a touch area at a moment when theoperating surface is touched, comprising: a correction value calculationmeans for, on an assumption that a touch area input from said flat-typepointing device indicates an area of a perfect circle, calculating acorrection value according to a radius of the perfect circle using thevalue according to the touch area; a first range calculation means forcalculating a first range in which said whole operating surface isreduced toward the center by a distance according to the correctionvalue calculated by said correction value calculation means; a scalefactor calculation means for calculating an enlargement ratio forconforming the first range calculated by said first range calculationmeans to a second range as said whole operating surface; and acoordinate correction means for, by enlarging and correcting the touchcoordinates in said first range at the enlargement ratio calculated bysaid scale factor calculation means, converting the touch coordinates inthe first range into touch coordinates in said second range.
 7. An inputadjustment method for a flat-type pointing device that has an operatingsurface and inputs touch coordinates and a value according to a toucharea at a moment when the operating surface is touched, includingfollowing steps of: (a) on an assumption that the value according to thetouch area input from said flat-type pointing device indicates an areaof a perfect circle, calculating a correction value according to aradius of the perfect circle where the touch area is assumed to be theperfect circle area; (b) calculating a first range capable of beingcovered by said touch coordinates using the correction value calculatedin said step (a); (c) calculating a scale factor for conforming thefirst range calculated in said step (b) to a second range as said wholeoperating surface; and (d) correcting a distance from a reference pointto current touch coordinates by the scale factor calculated in said step(c).
 8. An input adjustment method according to claim 7, wherein saidreference point is on touch coordinates at a moment when the operatingsurface is touched, and further comprising: (e) a reference pointcorrection step of correcting at least one of deviation in a horizontaldirection and a deviation in a vertical direction of said referencepoint from a central point of said operating surface.
 9. An inputadjustment method for a flat-type pointing device that has an operatingsurface and inputs touch coordinates and a value according to a toucharea at a moment when the operating surface is touched, includingfollowing steps of: (a) on an assumption that a touch area input fromsaid flat-type pointing device indicates an area of a perfect circle,calculating a correction value according to a radius of the perfectcircle using the value according to the touch area; (b) calculating afirst range in which said whole operating surface is reduced toward thecenter by a distance according to the correction value calculated insaid step (a); (c) calculating an enlargement ratio for conforming thefirst range calculated in said step (b) to a second range as said wholeoperating surface; and (d) by enlarging and correcting the touchcoordinates in said first range at the enlargement ratio calculated insaid step (c), converting the touch coordinates in the first range intotouch coordinates in said second range.